New Pope and Biden being Biden

I'm not really going to say much about Pope Francis today. However, I will say that when Bill says he's optimistic about the Pope then maybe we pay a little closer attention. Bill said:

"So, in spite of everything, I'm again hopeful about Pope Francis. His homily this morning was wonderful and his ring is designed after Paul VI's, the man who shepherded Vatican II to its completion.

"This segment of the homily was especially good:

"'Let us never forget that authentic power is service, and that the Pope too, when exercising power, must enter ever more fully into that service which has its radiant culmination on the Cross. He must be inspired by the lowly, concrete and faithful service which marked Saint Joseph and, like him, he must open his arms to protect all of God's people and embrace with tender affection the whole of humanity, especially the poorest, the weakest, the least important, those whom Matthew lists in the final judgment on love: the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and those in prison (cf. Mt 25:31-46). Only those who serve with love are able to protect!'

"That's what we were taught at John Carroll University. We were made men and women for others and to do unselfishly and with love more than we thought we could. Always AMDG."

 And this event gave us this image:

Like a boss.
 

OK Dems pull your shit together and pretend like you're a political party

Oh, Joe. I know you get to run your mouth off and it is part of your gimmick, but really. "Stop whining." I expect more when Dems trip over themselves. President Obama hasn't kept his promises, specifically DADT among several others. Where's President Obama's love for women? No love. No concern for women in health care, why because it was hard.

Now, being a woman I get it. I'm used to being disappointed in the guys I vote for. It comes with the territory. But as long as I vote I'm going to complain.

So I reiterate...Please Pull Your Shit Together!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/27/joe-biden-stop-whining-democratic-base_n_741160.html

Obama, Biden, Arcade Fire, and JayZ Oh My

A friend of mine was in town for, what I've deemed, Obama Week. Angela took me to the Obama Staff Party! There are few words to describe how incredible this event was. It was of course the final event of the Inauguration, and Arcade Fire opened up. The lead singer stated that one of the best moments of his life was watching Bush fly away after the Inauguration. They were amazing; Angela and I were less than two yards from the stage. We then wondered to the open bar and meandered around talking to the "Obama nation". After a little mingling Biden came out and spoke about the wonders of this campaign. After Biden Pluffy came out and spoke; he is afterall a campaign god. Then Obama and Michelle came out and spoke. It was inspiring and everything that the powers that be say about listening to Obama. He spoke about the change not being over, that this was just the beginning. Then JayZ came on and performed. It was amazing! I am still giddy.

Obama's Inauguration as the 44th President of the United States of America

Anyone else watching? I'm excited! I got the picture from CNN.com. A few preliminary notes: still a big pet peeve to attribute Obama's victory only to G.W. Bush's failures; really it is like saying the Allies won because the Axis did such a horrible job on their military campaign in Russia. Kind of true, but only one part of the story, and the most frustrating is that there is no way to prove it.

Anyway, so it begins. The former Presidents and their wives are walking out to their seats. And now the kids, which to be a little cynical I don't really get why the children are a big deal. Mrs. Laura Bush and Mrs. Lynn Cheney come in. Mrs. Michele Obama and Mrs. Jill Biden enter. President Bush, the last time I have to write that, and Dick Cheney enter with the "top Republican leadership." Vice President Elect, Joe Biden enters so does Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi...and President Elect Obama!

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, CA, gives the welcome and address.

Dr. Rick Warren gives the Invocation.

Aretha Franklin sings "My Country Tis of Thy."

The Honorable John Paul Stevens administer oath of office to Joe Biden.

"Air and Simple Gifts" composed for this occasion by John Williams, and performed by Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Anthony McGill, and Gabriela Montero.

Obama has become President of the United States even though he hasn't taken the oath of office because it is after 12:00pm.

Chief Justice of the United States, John G Roberts, Jr. give President Obama the oath, which Obama messes up on, and is all the more human for it.

President Obama gives his Inauguration speech, saying (and these are the highlights):
We the people have remained faithful to the founders and founding documents. We are in crisis, war, economy, greed, collective failures. A nagging fear that the next generation must lower sites, the crisis are real, but they will be met. We gather because we have chosen hope instead of fear. All are free. The time has past for waiting; we must dust ourselves off and begin rebuilding America. Restore science to it's rightful place. Transform our schools to meet the demands of a new age. Some suggest our system can't do it, but they are short sited. The ground has shifted, and those arguments no long apply. Without watchful eye the market can spin out of control. Reject safety or ideals. Rule of law and rights of man, and we will not give them up for expedients sake. America is a friend of each nation, and we are ready to lead once more. Power alone can not protect us or entitle us to do as we please. We will begin to leave Iraq, establish peace, and we will defeat you who change peace. We know our patch work heritage is our strength. The old hatreds will pass, and our common humanity will reveal itself. The world has change and we must change with it. New era of responsibility.

Elizabeth Alexander, American Poet, reads "Praise song for the day."

Benediction given.

National Anthem, and then exit.

This is What a Feminist Looks Like...

I talked about this before, and I think Obama is a feminist. And frankly many of you already know opinion that Sarah Palin is not a feminist just because she is a woman. I became angry when these critics of Ms. said she would have been a better choice than Obama. I agree H. Rod or Biden would have been better choices, but Obama is a feminist. By far the most feminist President we have ever had. I say way to go Ms.

I'm Scared

Joe Biden is to meet the Cheney's.  This make anyone else uncomfortable?  I have a special fascination with Dick Cheney because it is my goal to be able to shoot friends in the face and nothing come of it except the person I shot apologizes to me...damn right they should never have got in front of my bullet, or near me with a gun.  Dick wants a "smooth and graceful transition of power."  Maybe you and G.W. should have thought about that before you ran this country in the ground.  If this turns physical I hope Biden get a few punches in before Cheney shoots him in the face.  The article was found in the New York Times and then discussed on Wonkette.

“Wrong Kind of Feminists” Unite!

This is why when trying to fend off people asking for money on the street who begin with “Do you like children?” I always respond with “I’m one of those liberal baby killing feminists.”

After reading Jezebel.com, I once again learned something about myself from the GOP: real feminist vote for Sarah Palin. Wait, is Sarah Palin running for President because I thought people should be voting for McCain/Palin or Obama/Biden? Silly, uninformed me.

F you Palin and F you GOP: according to Palin women aren’t feminist unless they vote for her, and according to McCain Palin is the answer to the liberal feminist agenda. Well, I kind of agree with McCain on this one…Palin is the farthest person from a feminist. NEWSFLASH: HAVING A VAGINA DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE A FEMINIST!!! It means you are a woman. I refuse to vote for a woman because she is a woman. I will vote for a woman who’s policies I agree with.

I’m not even going to touch the lines about the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. I have had the privilege of meeting Lilly, and listened to her when she endorsed Obama. She is currently traveling with Michelle Obama. I will remind readers, as the article does, that Obama and Clinton made it back to the Senate to vote on the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, and McCain found it so important he didn’t show up. Of course the article also mentions the Rachel Maddow clip, which is an earlier post from today.

But a question for the GOP and its leaders: Does this mean all black people who don’t vote Obama aren’t black? I’m just want everyone to get on the same page, and god help those of us who identify as more than a single aspect of ourselves...what about black women?

Everyone Paying Attention Yet?

Voters unite! People need to watch the VP debate tonight; I know this is a change. The Vice Presidential debates usually don’t matter at all, remember Quayle? However, I did a little research to see where our candidates stand; nothing too shocking out of fourteen issues I knew where Biden stood, and mostly where Palin does except well they only has stances on eight of the fourteen issues. I have to admit my interest in this is the same as my interest in crappy television. I just can’t look away. I am wary of having too low expectation, but I really would like Biden to just stare at Palin when she says something stupid like a little kid who absolutely, positively, one hundred percent sure, that there are monsters or nuclear missiles under the bed.
The Senate passed the bailout, but what happened to the predicted restrictions? I thought this was going to be for a smaller sum; I am for it regardless, but I think we need some serious supervision over this money. I am not going to pretend that I know a lot about this. I am bad with numbers and have only begun developing my distrust of financial institutions. I am aware of a few things: people made the conscience decision to create this mess with what amounts to a get rich quick scheme (bad loans), innocent people are suffering too (those tricked into bad loans and the rest of us who have nothing to do with it), and finally something needs to be done. I’m not so concerned about the “CEO bad guys” getting their hands on this money; my concern is why people haven’t started going after these people legally. I want to see frozen assets; I want these people who are essentially white collar criminals doing time.

Both articles are from the New York Times...